Gastric band system with esophageal sensor

Abstract

An apparatus for providing a restriction and sensing a parameter associated with an anatomical structure comprises a restriction device and a sensing device. The restriction device is secured around a portion of anatomical structure and is operable to form a restriction within anatomical structure. The restriction may be formed or adjusted in response to a bolus located within anatomical structure. The restriction may be formed in response to bolus such that the restriction is formed before bolus reaches restriction device. Once the bolus passes and no more boluses are present, the restriction relaxes and loosens anatomical structure. The restriction device may comprise a gastric band, among other things, and the sensing device may comprise a strain gauge that is configured to detect a bolus passing down an esophagus.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus comprising:
 (a) an implantable restriction device configured to be secured around a portion of an anatomical structure, wherein the implantable restriction device is operable to constrict the anatomical structure to form a restriction in the anatomical structure; 
 (b) a controller in communication with the implantable restriction device, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the degree of restriction formed in the anatomical structure by the implantable restriction device; 
 (c) a sensor in communication with the controller, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the presence of movement or strain in an anatomical structure, wherein the controller is configured to adjust the restriction device to increase the degree of restriction formed by the implantable restriction device in response to sensor detecting the presence of movement or strain in an anatomical structure; and 
 (d) a wire mesh, wherein the wire mesh is configured to join the implantable restriction device and the sensor, wherein the wire mesh is configured to provide electrical contact between the implantable restriction device and the sensor, wherein the wire mesh is configured to fit about the esophagus of a patient. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a memory in communication with the controller, wherein the memory stores a threshold value, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether movement or strain detected by the sensor exceeds the threshold value, wherein the controller is further configured to only adjust the restriction device to increase the degree of restriction formed by the implantable restriction device in response to the detected movement or strain exceeding the threshold value. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a circumferential sensor comprising a strain gauge. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the implantable restriction device comprises a gastric band. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect movement or strain in an esophagus caused by a bolus. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the gastric band is fluid actuated, wherein the apparatus further comprises a pump in fluid communication with the gastric band, wherein the controller is in communication with the pump to adjust an amount of fluid communicated to or from the gastric band. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is further configured to be secured to at least a portion of an anatomical structure. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the sensor is positionable upstream in relation to the implantable restriction device such that a bolus passing through the anatomical structures will pass the sensor before passing the implantable restriction device. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to communicate sensor measurements to an external display. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the measurements are communicated to the external display in such a way that shows whether an anatomical structure adjacent to the sensor is dilated. 
     
     
       11. A method for creating a restriction with an implantable restriction device secured around a portion of an anatomical structure and a sensor located upstream in relation to the implantable restriction device, the method comprising:
 (a) detecting movement or strain caused by a bolus moving through the anatomical structure when the bolus is located near the sensor; 
 (b) translating the movement or strain into a measured value; 
 (c) determining a plurality of predetermined threshold values related to the size or frequency of the bolus; 
 (d) comparing the measured value against the predetermined threshold values; and 
 (e) creating a restriction in the anatomical structure with the implantable restriction device when the measured value exceeds the predetermined threshold values. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 (a) measuring the lapse of time after an occurrence of the measured value exceeding the predetermined threshold values; 
 (b) comparing the measured time to a predetermined time limit; and 
 (c) relaxing the restriction in the anatomical structure with the implantable restriction device if the measured time exceeds the predetermined time limit. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the act of creating a restriction in the anatomical structure with the implantable restriction device if the measured value is greater than the predetermined threshold values is performed before the bolus is positioned near the implantable restriction device.